Afghan Civilians, Security Forces Bear a Rising Burden of War

By

Margherita Stancati and

Habib Khan Totakhil

Updated July 31, 2013 11:37 a.m. ET

KABUL—Civilians and security forces are bearing a rising brunt of the war in Afghanistan, as the country's troops gradually take over from the U.S.-led international coalition, according to two new reports.

During the first six months of 2013, the number of civilians killed or injured in war-related incidents in Afghanistan rose 23% from the year-earlier period, says a report from the United Nations released on Wednesday. Around...